PHOTO GALLERY
There’s always some strange, interesting, beautiful or fun going on here at the Acre, so I carry a camera. Just in case.
Scallop Squash Coming in Hot
Anybody got any good squash recipes? A few warm days and the scallop squash is going bananas. I’ve already harvested half a dozen fruit and there's a least a dozen that'll be ripe in the next few days. Along with the Italian and yellow straightneck squash, we're up to our [keep reading...]
AROUND THE ACRE
Sage’s Acre Weather
Weather Forcast
66°F
USDA Zone 9
GARDEN POSTS
Lessons from the Keyhole Garden
A year after building my keyhole garden I've learned a few lessons. Here's a quick list of tips to keep your keyhole garden happy and productive through the growing season.
It’s a Pandemic and We Are Dillin’
This winter I grew two varieties of dill I usually don't grow, Fernleaf and Bouquet. Both did exceptionally well in the keyhole garden, producing densely leafed plants about 15 inches high. Fernleaf was darker green and denser, but Bouquet was more fragrant and flavorful.
How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer
I learned to make hand sanitizer for camping while in the boy scouts. Every bit as good as the store-bought stuff and 10 times less expensive. Here's how to make hand sanitizer using plain old household products (and an aloe plant if you have one).
Keyhole Garden Progress – March 17, 2020
Warm weather followed by a week of rain has really kicked the leafy greens into high gear. On the front left you can see the remainder of the [keep reading...]
Keyhole Garden Progress – February 26, 2020
Winter crops are petering out in the keyhole garden. Broccoli is heading out, cabbage is ripe, peas have been picked and the Romaine lettuce is about done. Just [keep reading...]
Happy Valentine’s Day – Have a Tomato! (Video)
Last spring I planted a grape tomato variety from Johnny's Selected Seeds called Valentine. Developed in collaboration with Penn State University, the Johnny's catalog described it as having "Massive early yields, deep red color and unusually rich flavor." All true. By the time the season ended four plants produced nearly 80 pounds of delicious, firm grape tomatoes. A definite 5 out of 5 stars. Here's a short video from the garden so you can see for yourself.
GARDEN POSTS
FOOD & RECIPES
Real Smoked Beef Jerky Recipe
Homemade beef jerky hits a new high point when you add real smoke. Here's how you can smoke jerky even if you don't have a fancy smoker.
When the World Gives You Discount Corned Beef, Make Pastrami
Pastrami is actually smoked corned beef. After St Patrick's Day, you can often pick up on sale for as little as $2 a pound. Here's how to turn it into Pastrami.
How to Make Awesome Hot Sauce
I like a good hot sauce. Not the mouth blistering hot stuff, but the spicy, complex kind that delivers a wave of interesting flavors as well as heat. For me, fermented hot sauces are the best at delivering that combination. Making fermented hot sauce is easy too. All you need is peppers, salt, water and a little time. Here's my basic 1 week hot sauce recipe, and a more exotic 6 month one that's a favorite every year.
FOOD & RECIPES
Real Smoked Beef Jerky Recipe
Homemade beef jerky hits a new high point when you add real smoke. Here's how you can smoke jerky even if you don't have a fancy smoker.
When the World Gives You Discount Corned Beef, Make Pastrami
Pastrami is actually smoked corned beef. After St Patrick's Day, you can often pick up on sale for as little as $2 a pound. Here's how to turn it into Pastrami.
How to Make Awesome Hot Sauce
I like a good hot sauce. Not the mouth blistering hot stuff, but the spicy, complex kind that delivers a wave of interesting flavors as well as heat. For me, fermented hot sauces are the best at delivering that combination. Making fermented hot sauce is easy too. All you need is peppers, salt, water and a little time. Here's my basic 1 week hot sauce recipe, and a more exotic 6 month one that's a favorite every year.
How to Make Banana Chips
Got bananas going brown? Forget making more banana bread, try making banana chips. They're dead simple to make and taste delicious (like banana candy but better for you). Here's how to make them.
